FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) -- Tuesday (Dec. 15) was the first day the new security officers were on patrol at the University of Arkansas.
Reggie Houser, the executive security manager at the university, said the new security officers will work closely with campus police.
“These security officers are trained to stand at post, work special events, work traffic provide a security detail,” Houser said. “They'll work side by side with the police officers.”
Houser said the police and the security departments have the same goal to keep the campus safe, but the security officers do not have the same role as a police officer.
“Police officers have arrest authority, are sworn,” Houser said. “The security officers are not. They do not have arrest authority. They can't detain people. They can't issue citations or summons.”
Some students, like Rachel Schlais, said they already feel safe on campus.
“I feel really secure already, so it doesn't really bother me,” Schlais said. “I don't think we're at risk here at the University of Arkansas.”
Schlais said she doesn’t think the added security hurts.
“It definitely makes me feel better that my stuff will be more secure, so hopefully no more theft,” Schlais said.
Houser said the feedback has been positive.
“Everyone's like thank you very much, so they appreciate their presence already,” Houser said.
Houser added that out of 51 applicants, only three security officers were hired, but he said they would like to eventually have 10.